Ottawas
newly sworn-in city council has approved a two per cent
tax increase limit for 2015 in accordance with the 2014
Strategic Plan and the Long Range Financial Plan.

The
tax increase, which amounts to approximately an additional
$63 for the average urban homeowner, will fund the 2015
operating and capital budgets to be unveiled in February.
It does not include a six per cent increase in the water
and sewer rate, or potential increases in other user fees
or transit rates.

Some
will saw its too high while others will say its
not high enough, but I feel its a good starting
point, said Mayor Jim Watson. We need to be
realistic and seek middle grown between maintaining good
value for our residents and keeping taxes affordable for
homeowners.

A
number of the new faces on council were looking for clarification
on the proposed tax increase and whether it was a target
or a fixed limit. The wording in the 2015 budget direction
which was ultimately approved by council seems clear enough,
The municipal portion of the property tax bill will
not increase by more than 2.0%.

Ottawas
top bureaucrat Kent Kirkpatrick assured city council that
senior staff will be able to limit the tax increase to
two per cent without impacting current service levels.

Will
be able to meet the budget directions and not involve
the service standards that exist today. It will be difficult
but I am confident we can do that, said Kirkpatrick.

River
Ward Coun. Riley Brockington expressed his concerns that
council maybe handcuffing itself by establishing a two
per cent limit on the 2015 tax increase.

Before
I even have opportunity of the needs of my residents were
being are asked to set a target of two per cent. The message
were sending to the public is that we
will meet and hold steady on the two per cent when there
could very well be needs that need be addressed,
said Brockington. By committing to two per cent
we may be handcuffing our ability to address the needs
that are out there.

Orléans
Ward Coun. Bob Monette was equally concerned about what
he was hearing from some of his new colleagues.

Its
a bit worrisome what Im hearing around council.
I want to be reassured yes what were passing today
is a guideline, but every attempt will be made to keep
it a two per cent or lower, said Monette.

City
treasurer Marian Simulik quickly allayed his fears by
reaffirming that any added expenses have to be offset
by finding savings in other areas.

Council
will have a chance to fund other initiatives during the
Strategic Initiative process which will be undertaken
after the budget is passed. Staff have set aside $4.7
million in the Strategic Initiative envelop for operating
expenses, which reflects the amount of money to be uploaded
by the provincial government next year in social service
costs, and $31 million for capital projects.